Downpatrick Sun, 30th Mar, 2025  Dunboyne Keith hit the front (on Final Orders), but I knew he'd battle back. Going out on the last lap, I was very confident. It was a long way to go, but his ears were pricked, he was happy and popping away. We have bought plenty of cheap ones and low-grade ones, and a change of scenery has improved them. With a horse with a bit of ability, it is actually easy because you don't have to train them hard. He's not fully pipe-drilled there. He's a happy, fresh horse. Ross (Donoghue) can take all the credit really - we call him the Head Lad, he is the boss. I was away last week on holidays with the kids and he trotted him around the roads and messed about with him. He actually went to the Curragh the other day to lead Lisnamult Lad over the National fences. I was thinking was this a good or a bad idea as it might scare him . He was deadly and jumped two of them and Ross got off him and gave him a roll and picked grass in the Curragh. We didn't even gallop him. I was itching to give him a blow and it is hard not to do it. We just took a chance and left him as fresh as we could and it worked thank God. James comes into us plenty and is best friends with Ross, the two of them get into plenty of trouble together! In my eyes, bar Danny Gilligan, he is the best conditional in the country. He has such a good brain and he doesn't panic. I have to thank Stephen O'Connor the owner. I've been at him a while to send me this horse. At least he did and it has worked out thank God.

Clonmel Thu, 27th Mar, 2025  Volez Vous Ben rode her brilliantly and she jumped great. She is improving and as I had said, the Yeats' take that extra bit of time. The recent dropping of the ratings (by the IHRB) below 80 helped her.

Clonmel Thu, 27th Mar, 2025  Rachel's Secret She had been knocking on the door, had finished second in a four-year-olds point-to-point, second in a maiden hurdle and third in a bumper so had some very solid form. She also had some wind issues and had operations but deserved it and Philip got on great with her. She is a big old mare, is 16.2hh and you could see her go over fences.

Navan Sat, 1st Mar, 2025  Dunboyne I was at Stephen (O’Connor, owner) last year when this horse was pulling up, hoping to get him as an Open point-to-point horse. We have had horses for Stephen for the last three or four years and when Dunboyne pulled up in Leopardstown during Christmas, he said he’d then try a change of scenery.

Clonmel Thu, 27th Feb, 2025  Volez Vous We had her half-sister De Lady In Red (dual winner) who came a lot quicker but this filly has just taken longer. Ricky Doyle rode her one day and said the Yeats' all take a bit of time,. We were just hoping to see some improvement today as she was nearly on her last chance, so it was a surprise and I'm delighted. We claimed Ben's 7lb as well and every little helps. We also have some point-to-pointers and store horses for the sales, so we had a few inspected this morning. . This mare is owned by my father William, who along with my mother, is unfortunately in a nursing home.

Punchestown Mon, 3rd Feb, 2025  Lucky Viv I didn’t think the ground would suit her at all, so I was a bit surprised. I thought it might be too tacky for her, but she seemed to stay the trip well. She ran in a few point-to-points, and we might go over fences with her.

Cork Fri, 17th Jan, 2025  Pure Steel I’d never have won the National only for Mike Futter as Monty’s Pass would not pass a vet for anybody but he rang me up and said ‘if he’s healthy, I don’t want any vet near him’. He bought him on my word over the phone and the rest is history. Mike was a colourful character and gave me full control of what I wanted to do with the horse. After he finished second in the Topham Trophy, I knew then I had a horse for the National. I hadn’t much connections with him afterwards but some of the syndicate were involved in Whinstone Boy with me and I won the Thyestes Chase for them and Mike went other places.

Naas Sun, 5th Jan, 2025  The Yellow Clay He just knows how to win and is improving the whole time. I was very worried about the ground and was undecided about running him but I rang Noel (Moran, owner), who is in Turkey, and he gave me the green light. They went a good gallop all the way and Wingmen ran a good race as well. I’d imagine he (The Yellow Clay) will go straight to Cheltenham now. I loved the way he travelled today and if anything, he probably got there plenty soon. Sam said he hated the ground. The race in Navan, where he was a bit behind the bridle, probably helped to wake him up.

Naas Sun, 5th Jan, 2025  The Yellow Clay He just knows how to win and is improving the whole time. I was very worried about the ground and was undecided about running him but I rang Noel (Moran, owner), who is in Turkey, and he gave me the green light. They went a good gallop all the way and Wingmen ran a good race as well. I’d imagine he (The Yellow Clay) will go straight to Cheltenham now. I loved the way he travelled today and if anything, he probably got there plenty soon. Sam said he hated the ground. The race in Navan, where he was a bit behind the bridle, probably helped to wake him up.